Weapons Test Scientist; Scientist

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Scientist 2 or Scientist 3 level depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

The Weapons Verification and Validation Division (V‑Division) ensures that weapon designs meet all requirements and perform as intended. The division verifies design compliance and validates performance through investigations, qualification tests, and evaluations. The V‑Division carries out its work through assembly, non‑destructive evaluation, test design and planning, test execution, and data analysis, all aimed at confirming the reliability and effectiveness of weapon systems.

The Weapons Test Execution Group (V‑21) serves as the laboratory’s center of excellence for complex weapon experimentation and system‑level testing. V‑21 is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing experiments ranging from component‑level evaluations to full‑scale integrated tests, supporting weapon development, qualification, surveillance, stockpile assessment, and future modernization efforts.

• Flight Systems Team – Supports qualification, development, and surveillance testing of weapon flight systems and associated environments.
• Stockpile Survivability Team – Evaluates system performance and survivability under demanding mechanical, thermal, and operational environments.
• Physics Validation Team – Supports integrated weapon experiments, hydrodynamic testing, and other experimental programs that provide critical validation data for stockpile stewardship.

$106,400 – $176,000

• Support the planning and execution of development, qualification, surveillance, or validation experiments.
• Develop test objectives, requirements, procedures, and technical documentation.
• Coordinate activities across multiple organizations to ensure successful test execution.
• Participate in experiment design, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Communicate technical status and results to customers, stakeholders, and team members.
• Contribute to project planning, scheduling, and resource coordination.
• Receive mentorship and guidance from senior staff while developing technical and leadership skills.

$128,000 – $215,900

• Lead significant portions of complex test programs and experimental campaigns.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior staff.
• Independently develop test strategies, schedules, and resource plans.
• Interface directly with customers and senior stakeholders to define future testing needs.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in the execution of high‑visibility experiments.
• Represent the team during formal reviews, technical briefings, and strategic planning activities.
• Serve as a recognized technical contributor within the organization.

• Demonstrated experience applying scientific principles to experimental design, testing, analysis, or validation activities.
• Experience planning, conducting, or supporting laboratory, field, engineering, or physics‑based experiments.
• Ability to analyze complex technical problems and develop practical solutions.
• Experience interpreting and communicating scientific or technical data.
• Understanding of systems‑level thinking and the integration of multidisciplinary technical activities.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience preparing technical reports, presentations, publications, or formal documentation.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to audiences with varying levels of expertise.
• Experience collaborating with customers, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience coordinating activities across multiple organizations or technical disciplines.
• Ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining project objectives and schedules.
• Commitment to safety, security, quality, and operational excellence.

• Demonstrated technical leadership experience on scientific, engineering, or experimental…